Deadline: 19-Feb-23
The U.S. Consulate General Naha Public Affairs Section announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to implement a six-week Start-up Academy Program.
Objectives
- With a significantly lower cost of living relative to mainland Japan and close geographic proximity to regional hubs such as Taipei, Okinawa has the potential to attract entrepreneurs from across Japan as well as to cultivate homegrown start-up businesses, including in but not limited to the tech, tourism, renewable energy, and financial services sectors.
- This program helps realizes that potential by targeting entrepreneurs in the beginning stages of launching their business ventures and giving them tools to enhance and expand their businesses. Female entrepreneurs in particular face challenges –magnified by COVID — in starting businesses and attracting capital, including lack of access to mentors and relevant resources and information that lead to success. This Consulatesponsored program would boost long-term economic ties between the United States and Japan by encouraging entrepreneurs — especially but not limited to female — to choose the United States as their future trading partner of choice, vice near-peer competitors.
- The program would address the obstacles and provide a potential roadmap for success. It would consist of a six week “Start-up Academy,” with weekly 2–3-hour inperson and/or virtual workshops and speaker programs focused on but not limited to: networking and pitching tips, how to attract U.S. venture capitalists to invest in Japan and vice-versa, how to expand online sales and advertising presence, how to give a business presentation, field trips to relevant businesses, and resources for doing business with/in the United States. Speakers could include, for example, Mission Japan personnel from relevant sections such as Economic or Foreign Commercial Sections.
- Each participant would be required to pitch a panel of local business leaders and executives as a condition of their graduation from the program.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: Up to 24 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1-2 awards
- Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $30,000
Participants and Audiences: Entrepreneurs in Okinawa and Okinawa Business Executives
Priority Region: Japan
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/nongovernmental organizations
- Public and private educational institutions
- Public international organizations and governmental institutions
- Individuals
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Japan.